Greg Raymer Wins In Iowa For HPT Hat-Trick

Greg “Fossilman” Raymer has just won the 2012 Heartland Poker Tour Iowa, after defeating a field of 185 players over four days to lift his third HPT title of the year, as well as the $72,089 first place prize.
The 2004 WSOP Main Event winner started his remarkable hat-trick in July at the $1,500 HPT New Mexico where he beat 131 players to claim the $71,875 first place prize. In September, Raymer then won $121,973 at the $1,500 HPT Missouri after topping a 336 player field and now just a few weeks later his victory in Iowa takes his HPT winnings for the three tournaments to an impressive $265,937.
Following the 48 year-old latest triumph at Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino, Altoona , Raymer tweeted: “How do you celebrate winning 3 of last 4 @HPTPoker main events? Easy. 4:30 wake up to catch a plane. 😉 worth it, I’m going home!
However, it was not all plain sailing for Raymer who had to buy-in five times at the $1,650 tournament before he reached the final table. Raymer then became a short-stack at one stage after losing an all-in holding AQ to his opponent’s A9 before grinding back-up again and then doubling up in an A-J  versus Q-Q encounter to regain the lead.
After eventually reaching heads-up, Raymer faced Iowa-native and pipe-fitter Chad Lawson, with both players nearly even in chips. The local man was then able to put up a good fight until the final hand was played with Raymer (A-K) all-in and dominating his opponent holding A-5.
With his latest win, Raymer has now cashed seven times on the HPT since 2010, bringing his winnings to $347,207. He also has $7,285,094 in career earnings overall.
Here are the final table payouts of the $1,650 HPT Iowa:
1: Greg Raymer – $72,089
2: Chad Lawson – $41,771
3: Craig Casino – $26,275
4: Ben Stroh – $22,233
5: Ed Sinnett – $16,978
6: Josh Birkenbuel – $14,526